Teixeira “Hopes” To Be Ready By Opening Day

June 3, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) makes a catch for an out during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Just when you thought the Yankees infield couldn’t get any thinner, it just may have. The Yankees are now in jeopardy of losing first baseman Mark Teixeira for the beginning of the season, after being without him for nearly all of the 2013 season, because of a wrist injury Teixeira suffered while playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic last winter.

According to MLB.com’s Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch, Teixeira is still experiencing a bit of stiffness in his surgically repaired wrist while swinging off a tee and continued strengthening exercise. The fact that this injury has taken so much time to heal, should be a concern for Yankees fans. If Tex isn’t able to get to full strength this season, there’s no telling how this injury could affect his play on the field.

Teixeira and his doctor expect that the wrist will begin to loosen back up into game shape with more regular use. The Yankees replaced Teixeira in the lineup last season with Lyle Overbay, who recently signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. There’s no question the team suffered without Teixeira’s power and gold glove defense. And with the Yankees already without third baseman Alex Rodriguez, a question mark in shortstop Derek Jeter, and losing second baseman Robinson Cano in free agency, this was absolutely the worst news the Yankees could’ve received. So unless Teixeira’s wrist is able to heal up in time for opening day, this could be another long season for the Yankees, and their first baseman.